Repeated peripheral alcohol injection is an effective treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia in non-drug compliance patients

INTRODUCTION: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an uncommon disorder seen in dental and neurologic practice, which presents with brief lancinating pain in the face, in the area distributed by the trigeminal nerve. The wide ranges of treatments currently used for TN are ample evidence that there is no simple answer to how it should be managed. PURPOSE: In this study, we want to evaluate, if repeated peripheral alcohol injection is an effective treatment of TN patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective data analysis of patients treated with peripheral alcohol injections from November 2011 to July 2017 were conducted. We selected the patients who reported at least three times for alcohol injection and duration of pain relief recorded as reported by patients. RESULTS: Effects of 96% absolute alcohol injection alcohol injection ranging from 13 to 15 months pain relief, but in second or third time, this duration was decreased to 11–12 months, whereas no much significant complication were observed. CONCLUSION: Even single time neurectomy is not permanent cure, so patients choose less invasive option such as peripheral alcohol injections in repeated use instead of a surgical option.